Today's society often draws our attention to the physical and aesthetic aspects of working out. Commercials on TV or promotions at local gyms continually tell us that we can grow stronger, get faster, and look better if we follow a given workout plan.
While there can be some truth in these advertisements, there are other advantages to working out that are often overlooked. One of the most prominently forgotten-about benefits is the positive effect that physical activity can have on mental health.
So many times, physical and mental health are thought of as completely different entities. What many people don't realize, however, is that the two have a symbiotic relationship.
When you are physically active, your mind is more healthy. In the same way, when your mind is in top shape, it is easier to find the motivation to exercise. Physical activity and mental health work hand in hand, and because of this, there is mutual benefit.
Benefits of a Healthy Mind
Our minds affect nearly every aspect of our daily lives in one way or another. When our headspace is in a negative place, it can make even the most simple tasks seem more challenging. Sometimes, it can be hard to even fall asleep, get out of bed, or finish a thought.
Good mental health, on the other hand, can lead to a plethora of benefits. These include mental clarity, a decreased risk for depression, lower anxiety, improved relationships, and better self-worth. There is no doubt that good mental health can positively impact all areas of life.
Being mentally healthy can also offer benefits that are not always at the forefront of our minds, such as increased eligibility for some life insurance plans. Sometimes, insurance underwriters will ask for an attending physician's statement (APS) to help gather your medical information.
If a company is using APS underwriting for life insurance, mental health could be one area that is researched. If a physician can attest to the strength of your mental health, your eligibility for the insurance policy may increase and your premiums may decrease.
Exercise Improves Mental Health
If you've ever heard of endorphins, you may also have heard them referred to as a "feel-good chemical." This is because endorphins react with certain receptors in our brains to reduce the perception of pain and stimulate a positive feeling in our bodies.
With that in mind, it is fair to say that an increase in endorphins has a positive effect on our mental health because we feel good. Luckily, we can help facilitate the release of endorphins through exercise.
If you have ever experienced a "runner's high" or a feeling of euphoria when working out, you are feeling the release of endorphins. The positive energy in our bodies makes us feel like we can do anything and serves as a mood and energy booster during exercise and after.
This is one of the main reasons that exercise can be so valuable when you are experiencing stress. The release of endorphins during and after exercise helps combat the negative feelings associated with a stressful situation and gives you a more positive outlook.
We know that stress is bad for our bodies, both mentally and physically, so keeping our stress levels low is important. Exercise not only helps relieve stress, but it is also often used as part of a treatment for anxiety and depression.
Physical activity is one way to stimulate the release of endorphins, but they are joined by other mood-boosting hormones known as dopamine and serotonin.
Dopamine and serotonin are associated with learning ability, memory, sleep, motor function, and even digestion, all of which can experience negative effects during a period of poor mental health. This shows us, then, that increasing the release of these two hormones will have a positive effect on these body functions.
Exercise is an invaluable tool for building strong mental health. By helping release a powerful team of mood elevators, you will likely be able to sleep better, think more clearly, more capably deal with stress, improve your memory, and have more energy.
A Healthy Mind Craves Exercise
We've seen how exercise can help us strengthen our mental health, but it is also worth noting that our brains return the favor to our bodies. When we are in the right frame of mind, exercise becomes easier and our bodies become stronger.
When we feel depressed, anxious, or even just sleep-deprived, it can be difficult to find the motivation to accomplish any task, let alone complete a challenging workout. As our mental health suffers, our physical health takes a negative turn alongside.
Sometimes, we need to force ourselves to take a step. Literally. Even when we don't feel like exercising, if we can make ourselves move for even a brisk walk, we will start to feel better.
The more we can stay in this better-feeling frame of mind, the easier it will be to exercise on a more consistent basis. Motivation is one of the most prominent things that hold people back from working out. They either are stressed, depressed, or don't have the energy.
Even if you have to force the first workout, your mindset will immediately start to change for the better. You may feel less stressed or anxious, and you will have more energy. All of this plays into your desire to continue working out. Consistency is the key to physical progress, and mental health is paramount for consistency.
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind
Mental health and physical health should no longer be thought of as separate entities. Rather, they should be thought of as teammates that are working together to accomplish the same goal of overall health.
Like any good teammate, the physical side of our overall goal can step in to help when the mental side is struggling. Exercise can have extremely positive effects on our mental health through the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.
All three of these hormones can help us to combat stress by stimulating positive feelings in our bodies. They also help reduce anxiety, risk of depression, and stress, all of which contribute to poor mental health.
Medications are one route to aid in mental health, and there are certain situations for which they might be the right choice. Exercise, however, is helpful for anyone and free to use, and you can use it regularly.
The next time you are feeling like your mental health needs a boost, consider getting a workout in. Your mind will thank you and over time, your body will reward you.
Dan Chojnacki is a certified personal trainer who writes and researches for the life insurance site, EffortlessInsurance.com. He currently works in Green Bay, WI. His favorite forms of exercise include cycling, running, swimming, and playing tennis.
